A Tour of the Time & Life Building in the 1960s
The Time & Life Building, located at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, were designed by the Rockefeller family’s architects, Harrison & Abramowitz & Harris. The iconic building was completed in 1959, and actually serves as base of operations for fictional ad-agency Sterling Draper & Partners. Let’s explore further.
It is evident by looking at these photos that the set designers of AMC’s Mad Men took cues and inspiration from the Time & Life building. Everything from the furniture, to the sleek mid-century modern lines and material screams Mad Men. Oh, if only the photos were in color…
Today, publications such as TIME, Fortune, People and Sports Illustrated still call the building their base of operation. However, the look of it now can not stand up to the original design, colors and features when the building opened its doors and welcomed Don Draper and partners.
Which is your favorite feature of the Time & Life Building?
Above: Is that Don Draper? Looks like he got glasses and in need of a break. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: Let’s take a moment to marvel at the ceiling of this elevator bank. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: Office space in the new TIME & LIFE building. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: Eames was commissioned to design this particular reception space and it features specially designed furnishings for the building. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: The ground floor lobby of the building. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: One of the many lobbies in the building. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: There was even a reading room in the mezzanine. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: Outside we can see Radio City Hall. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: Visitors veiwing abstract “Relational Painting #88 — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: ime Inc.’s John Jessup, Henry Luce, & Otto Fuerbringer with presidential candidate Senator John Kennedy and others at the Time Life Building. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: Jerome Brody President of Restaurant Associates Jerome Brody (Seated C) at La Fonda Del Sol restaurant. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: Food Preparation At La Fonda Del Sol — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Above: From the top we can see downtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building. — Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Christopher
A Swedish expatriate and founder of Ultra Swank. Chris loves showcasing his passion for mid-century design, defunct airlines, Disneyland and modernist architecture. He's also renowned as a connoisseur of easy-listening music from the 60s and 70s.
